The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-12

will be very hOt-tO continue the forceful
Scriptural figure of the wretchsd degrade
ton and misery inevitably tracking, and
surely overtaking,i in this world or the next,
all bearers of false witness, hypocrites,
drunkards, thieves, murderers, adulter-
ers, and every variety of workers OF in
iquity. We believe, too, that it is sure, and
that it can not be escaped; that though
hand join in hand the wicked shall not
go unpunished;" that "God will by no
means clear the guilty." that "God will
bring every work into judgment, with
every secret thing, whether it be good or
whether it be evil" We have no scheme
in our theology by which the murderer,
black with the crimes of long wicked
life, can be cleansed in an hour by power
of clergy and swung into the arms OF
Jesus safe from all further punishment,
while his victims sink without hope into
an endless hell. We believe that the
true doctrine of the certainty of just and
adequate retribution is more effective as
q restraining power than the doctrine of
hopeless, endless misery from which you
can escape by some means-churches do
not agree as to what-if only the means
be used before you die. While God is
love, he is, and must be a consuming
fire, that he may make an end of the dross
of evil, and bring the gold of human
nature to reflect his image.
2. We believe that salvation is from
sin; that to become holy, Christlike, God
like, is to be saved. Such are in the
heavenly state, and, in the best sense, in
heaven, whether in this world or any
other. To bring all men ultimately into
this state is Christ's work, and Gods
eternal purpose in and through him.
3. Universalists know of the existence
of all the passages of Scripture quoted by
DIR. Graves and others in proof of end
less misery (and are probably more ia
miliar with them than any other people,
but do not believe that they teach that
doctrine. Something more, therefore
must be done in opposing Universalism
than merely quoting sacred Scripture. Ii
must be shown that they are wrong In
their Interpretation, or understanding Of
them. For example we know that the
expression "shall be cast out into outer
darkness; there shall be weeping snG
wailing and crashing of teeth" which
DR.. Graves quoted, 1 think, unfortunate
ly, is in the Bible. Please read it, in con
nection with it's context, from the 9th t.
the 18th verses of the eighth chapter O
Matthew. A Roman centurion, Gen
tile, shows such large faith that Jesul
marvels and exclaims:
"Verily, L say unto you, I have no
found SO great faith, no not in Israel
And say unto you that many shall coms
from the east and west and shall sit dowr
with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob In
the kingdom of heaven; but the children
of the kingdom shall be cast into outel
darkness; there shall be weeping RnC
wailing and crashing of teeth"
Those to be cast out we're the Jews WHIT
claimed to be the children of God, chill
dren of the kingdom to the exclusion o
all others. 1t does not prove that the,
shall suffer endlessly. On the other han(
Paul says (Rom XII, 26), "All Israel shall
be saved" "Oh, yes, yes exclaims DR.
Graves contemptuously, "you appl.
everything to the Jews. Is there any
thing in the Bible that applies to us ant
our timer"
reply, yes; but we must be pardonet
il we do not utter the Bible threatening
as freely as we ought toward the class il
the chuIch of to-day corresponding to th,
one at which he hurled them; for VI
would not wound the true and Christlik'
souls with whom such may be associated
Yet they do apply to all "hypocrites who
for pretense make long prayers" thank
ing God that they care not like othe
J men," who compass sea and land to maxi
one proselyte, and when he is made maxi
him two-fold more the child of hell thai
themselves" Matt. xiii. It may be vel
for DIR. Graves to make sure that he is no
in the path of this divine thunder. Nor
if needed. G.. Ell. DEERE.